Alexander The Great​and The Jewish Sages

A Story from the talmud

Based on a rule that I heard from my old chavrusa Rabbi Elli Weinbaum, that you often find that whatever you are learning will have some connection to that week's Parsha or other event of the week, I present the forthcoming essay.

This week, the week of Chanukah 5779, we learned in Rabbi Eton Cohen's shiur the Gemara in Mesechta Tamid beginning Daf 31b about Alexander the Great's 10 questions that he asked of the ziknei hanegev. The story has quite a strong connection to Chanukah.

The Gemara relates that Alexander asked the Ziknei Hanegev:1. Is the distance from heaven to Earth greater or the distance from East to West? They answered him from East to West is further and they brought a proof that when the sun is in the East everyone can gaze at it, similarly, when the sun is in the West everyone can gaze at it. However, when the sun is directly above, you cannot gaze at it. This proves that the distance from East to West is greater than the distance from Heaven to Earth. The Chachamim disagreed and claimed that the distances between them is equal. They brought a proof from a posuk, verse. As to why you cannot stare at the sun when it is directly above they answered that it's because when it's in the West or East there are mountains and hills and other obstructions that block the searing brightness of the sun. However, when it is above there is nothing obstructing the glare of the sun.2. Alexander then asked, "what was created first, the Heaven or the Earth?" They answered him that Heaven was created first based on another posuk.3. He then asked them "what came first light or darkness?" When they saw where this was leading, they distracted him and answered that of this they do not know. They were concerned lest he ask them what is above and what is below; what was before and what is after?Questions that are prohibited to discuss.4. Next, he asked them "who is called wise?" And they answered him, "one who considers the consequences of his actions."5. The next question was "who is considered strong?" Citing Pirkei Avos, they responded "he who subdues his personal inclination."6. "Who is called wealthy?" They answered "he who is happy with his lot"; another quote from Ethics of the Fathers.7. "What should a person do to live?" They responded "he should humble himself."8. "What should a person do to die?" "He should raise himself, then people will give him the evil eye (out of jealousy) that will eventually harm him and cause his death."9. "What should one do to gain favor in people's eyes?" They told him, "stay away from high positions, Kings and officers. Because when people see that you're consorting with the high class, they will become jealous and despise you." Alexander responded, "my idea is better than yours. By being around the kings and nobility, you can help people with their needs and they will like you."10. "Is it better to live on the land or the sea?" They answered: "the land, because a person traveling on the oceans is not at peace with himself, he is concerned about mishaps while traveling. When he arrives home back on land, he is settled and has peace of mind."When Alexander heard that all their answers were contrary to his way of thinking, he suspected that one of the Ziknei Hanegev is the really wise one and collaborated with the others to provide the answers they gave.Alexander, therefore asked them "which one of you is the smartest?" They answered, "we would all answer you in the same manner as we responded. Alexander got angry and threatened them, "I can have you all killed (for your rebellious answers)."They said, "that is true, but then you would be characterized as a liar, because you told us not to be concerned because you will not harm us. You would lose your credibility."After this debate, Alexander's attitude changed and he dressed them in fine ermine robes and placed golden chains around their neck (as a sign of nobility).He now turned to them for advice. "I wish to travel to the African Region. They told him, "you will not be able to pass through there due to the Dark Mountains". Alexander told them, "for me not to go there is unacceptable. I am not asking you if I should go or not, but how to go and make it a successful journey". They told him, "get Libyan donkeys that are able to see even in the dark and tie a rope woven of strong fibers wherever you go so that you can follow them back to your starting point and not get lost". While he was traversing the region he chanced upon a city which was inhabited mostly by women and whom were the leaders there. Alexander, true to his warrior personality wanted to wage war with them. They countered, "you are being foolish. If you conquer us, people will say what kind of warrior is this Alexander? He can only best women? And if we are the victors, they will say, look at this conqueror who couldn't even be victorious over a bunch of women." He left them alone and instead asked them to bring him bread. They brought him loaves of gold. Upon seeing the golden loaves he exclaimed, "what is this? It's not edible". They said to him, "you certainly didn't take this dangerous trip and put your troops in danger for a piece of bread. You obviously want gold and silver, so here it is."Upon leaving the Region, Alexander wrote on a gate, "I, the Great Alexander of Macedonia was a fool until I reached this Region and was taught a lesson from the women here."On his return voyage, he sat beside a brook and took out preserved fish to eat. He dipped the fish in the brook to wash off the salt and behold the fish came alive! He surmised that the source of this brook was Gan Eden. He followed the stream until he came to the entrance of Gan Eden. He wished to enter and was repelled with the warning, ''זה השער לה', צדיקים יבואו בו'' "this is the passageway to Gan Eden. Only the righteous can pass through." Alexander challenged that he is a king, a conquerer, if he can't enter the gates, he is at least deserving of some souvenir. A spherical object was presented to him and he didn't know what it was. He thought it's some precious gem. When he returned home, he had it weighed and as much silver and gold was used, this object outweighed it all.

Not knowing what it is, Alexander asked the Chachamim, and they replied it's a (human) eye(ball). He didn't believe them; "Then how can this outweigh gold and silver?", he asked. They said "an eye is never satisfied; as much gold and silver it sees, it wants more. We'll prove it. They advised him to cover it in dirt and weigh it again. When he weighed it again, the gold and silver outweighed it.

This concludes the gemara's incident with Alexander and the Jewish sages.

I think this gives more than a glimpse; it is a full thesis of the difference between the Greeks' and the Jews' outlook on life and the essence of what is primary in their life.

This was the battle the Greeks waged with the Jews.

The Greek culture worshipped physical beauty and their mindset was reflected in how they viewed the world. Wealth and power are represented by who can beat the other one. Jealousy is rampant. "Might makes right!" they claim.

We see here the purity, the innocence, and the sensitivity that characterises the Jewish Nation.

Shouldn't we be ecstatic to be members of the Chosen People? Shouldn't we revere the intellect and the worldview of our nation of three millennia; with all the we experienced and all that we've endured throughout history, the Jew is still the Jew; an eternal people.

The misyavnim's mistake was that they thought that shedding Jewishness and Jewish attitude is better, and comes along with security and serenity in this tumultuous world. "Let us be like the other nations", they claimed. But from this story we see that even the great, courageous, champion and warrior of the Greek people; Alexander the Great, was bested by the Jews. If he could be bested by a group of women, who had a clear direction of right and wrong, don't you think the Jewish people, the people who demonstrate the truth of...the truth, and are endowed with true wisdom are the greater people, notwithstanding the oppressions and ridicule of the nations. ​Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu!